Mishawaka Divorce Records

Mishawaka divorce records are handled by the St. Joseph County Circuit Court Clerk -- Mishawaka residents have a local clerk division at 219 Lincolnway West, while the main office and full records system are at 101 S. Main St in South Bend, the county seat.

St. Joseph County and Mishawaka Divorce Records

Mishawaka is a city in St. Joseph County, sitting directly east of South Bend. All divorce records for Mishawaka residents are part of the St. Joseph County court system. South Bend is the county seat, and that is where the main clerk's office and primary records system are located at 101 S. Main St.

St. Joseph County Clerk Amy Rolfes maintains a Mishawaka division at 219 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka. This local office provides some services to residents on the east side of the county. For routine inquiries and some services, this location may be more convenient than driving to downtown South Bend. However, the full records system and the primary filing location remain in South Bend. Check with the clerk's office to confirm what services are available at the Mishawaka location before making a trip.

St. Joseph County has a notable records depth. The county Archives holds divorce and civil records going back to 1832 -- one of the longer historical records in northern Indiana. For cases from 1832 through 1984, the Archives at 401 W. Sample St in South Bend is the right place to look. More recent cases are in the clerk's computerized system and are searchable through MyCase.

The county's marriage and divorce records page at sjcindiana.gov/2396/Marriage-Divorce-Information explains current procedures for requesting records in St. Joseph County. The clerk's main page is at sjcindiana.gov/180/Clerk.

St. Joseph County Clerk Contact Info

The St. Joseph County Clerk is Amy Rolfes, with offices in both South Bend and Mishawaka.

• Clerk: Amy Rolfes
• Main Office: 101 S. Main St, South Bend, IN 46601
• Mishawaka Division: 219 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN
• Archives (historical records): 401 W. Sample St, South Bend, IN
• Phone: 574-235-9635
• Clerk: sjcindiana.gov/180/Clerk
• Marriage/Divorce Info: sjcindiana.gov/2396/Marriage-Divorce-Information

Call 574-235-9635 to confirm which location can handle your specific need. Mishawaka division hours may differ from the South Bend main office. Check the county website before visiting either location.

How to Search Mishawaka Divorce Records

Indiana's statewide portal at mycase.in.gov is the first tool to use. It covers St. Joseph County cases. Search by name or case number at no cost. Most cases from recent years appear here with basic case info and some document images. This is the fastest way to confirm a case exists before visiting either the Mishawaka or South Bend clerk location.

The St. Joseph County marriage and divorce records page at sjcindiana.gov/2396/Marriage-Divorce-Information explains current request procedures specific to this county. Review this page for instructions before submitting a request, especially if you plan to use mail or an online form.

For in-person access, start with the Mishawaka division at 219 Lincolnway West if you want to stay on the east side. Call ahead to confirm what services are available there. For full record access or certified copies, the South Bend main office at 101 S. Main St is the most reliable choice. Bring photo ID and party names or the case number.

For records from 1832 to 1984, the Archives at 401 W. Sample St in South Bend has the historical files. These are a separate location from the main clerk's office. Call ahead to confirm hours and what identification or information you need to bring for an Archives visit.

Mail requests can be sent to the main office at 101 S. Main St, South Bend, IN 46601. Include party names, year, and a money order for fees. Add a return envelope.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Mishawaka

Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 requires that one spouse have lived in Indiana for at least six months and in St. Joseph County for at least three months before filing. Mishawaka is in St. Joseph County, so living in Mishawaka satisfies the county residency requirement. Confirm your dates before filing.

Indiana Code 31-15-2-10 sets a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed. No final decree can be entered until those 60 days pass. This applies to all dissolution cases, including those where both parties agree on all terms. The wait starts on the filing date.

Filing fees in St. Joseph County are approximately $157 to $177. The clerk can confirm the exact fee for your case type. Additional fees may apply for service of process or other case-specific filings.

Types of Divorce Records Available

St. Joseph County Clerk records in dissolution cases include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage -- the initial filing
• Service and summons records -- proof of notice to the other party
• Provisional orders -- temporary rulings during the case
• Settlement agreements -- negotiated terms
• Final decree of dissolution -- the court's closing order
• Post-decree orders -- modifications or enforcement actions
• Historical records -- cases from 1832-1984 at the Archives

Records involving children may have restricted portions. The clerk can advise on what is open for public access in any specific case.

Fees and Access

Searching MyCase is free. Copies at the clerk's office are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3.00 to $5.00 per document. Archives records may have a separate fee schedule. A certified copy of the final decree is typically needed for name changes and legal transactions after divorce.

For legal help, Indiana Legal Help covers St. Joseph County. Legal Aid of North Indiana serves Mishawaka, South Bend, and the surrounding area with free services for qualifying residents.

Indiana's MyCase portal covers St. Joseph County cases for Mishawaka residents. For in-person service, visit the Mishawaka division at 219 Lincolnway West or the main office via sjcindiana.gov/180/Clerk in South Bend.

Nearby Indiana Cities

St. Joseph County Court Resources

All Mishawaka divorce cases are filed in St. Joseph County. Visit the county page for more resources.